VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis is trying to silence those who doubt his ability to fulfill his function by embarking at the age of 87 on the most difficult mission of his church.
The pope’s 12-day journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore starting next year involves 43 hours of flight time and a range of 32, 000km.
Anyone who has been plagued by health issues in recent years would go through something of an epic, which may give rise to his potential resignation as head of the Catholic Church.
The vacation was initially planned for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis, and then takes place only three weeks before his 88th holiday.
Some observers previously believed that Pope Francis could take such a grueling journey, with issues roiling the Vatican’s corridors as he rode his plight.
At Easter, the holiest week in the Christian timeline, Pope Francis withdrew from some activities, weakened by a lingering virus.
He had to cancel a trip to Dubai’s UN climate talks a few months prior due to asthma.
He even had a hernia operation that required him to spend ten days in the hospital in June 2023.
Now some people are asking: Is it fair for the elderly to maintain the frantic speed with 16 statements and many meetings and ceremonies scheduled in four different nations?
A top Vatican official told AFP,” The pope also thinks we need to push a little additional.”
He feels prepared to travel this time. Following time, it will be less certain”.
Flourishes ON Phone
Benedict XVI, the first bishop to step down since the Middle Ages, cited his declining physical and mental health, and Pope Francis has left the door open for others to do the same.
The Argentine Jesuit has, however, constantly emphasized that he is still in the process and that traveling is crucial to his ministry, which places a premium on spreading the gospel.
Pope Francis makes his 45th trip abroad, returning to his passion as a priest among his flock, far from the government of the Vatican and similar to regular people, who seem to offer him renewed energy and momentum.